Middlesbrough vs Everton – How to keep Boro losing?!

By • Dec 26th, 2008 • Category: News |

Form Guide:

After a bright start to the season Middlesbrough have somewhat capitulated. 3 points from the last 18 available have seen Boro drop to 14th. This poor run has included losses to Fulham, Hull and Bolton.

Everton on the other hand have gone from strength to strength since the one-all draw back in November. Wins against Spurs, City and a draw against Chelsea have sparked a rise up the table. The toffees’ rich vein of form has coincided with much more fluent and quality performances. Glimpses of the Everton of last year have started to shine through and in a league as tight as it is at the moment any win against almost any side is a great achievement.

Lescott scores last season

Team News

Boro possibly have O’Neill back to full fitness after being out with a hamstring injury. However, Didier Digard is likely to be sidelined with a groin injury.

For Everton, Leon Osman and Joseph Yobo are doubts having sustained injuries in the 0-0 draw against Chelsea on Monday. The latter is more of a doubt but both will face late fitness tests.

Louis Saha and Victor Anichebe are still expected to miss out with hamstring and back injuries respectively meaning Tim Cahill may have to fill their shoes up top on his own.

Middlesbrough (from): Turnbull, Jones, McMahon, Taylor, Grounds, Pogatetz, Huth, Wheater, Bates, Hines, Williams, Arca, Walker, Downing, Johnson, O’Neil, Aliadiere, Tuncay, Alves, Mido, Emnes.

Everton (from): Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Baines, Jagielka, Lescott, Neville, Osman, Arteta, Fellaini, Pienaar, Cahill, Nash, Van der Meyde, Rodwell, Jutkiewicz, Gosling, Kissock.

Likely line-ups:

Middlesbrough: Turnbull – McMahon, Riggott, Huth, Pogatetz – Johnson, Shawky, Arca, Downing – Aliadiere, Sanli.

Everton:  Howard – Hibbert, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines – Osman, Arteta, Fellaini, Pienaar, Neville – Cahill.

FE Predictions:

Optimist – 0-2 a comfortable win with the blues getting back to scoring after a disappointingly firing blanks against Chelsea.

Pessimist – 0-0 another clean sheet but still not managing to find the net.



2 Responses »

  1. also guys, we need writers. Please follow this link:
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  2. with a fully fit squad I’d be very confident of the win, Osman’s fitness is the key today. If he’s fit with our away form we should have enough to win. If Osman doesn’t make it I hope that Jack Rodwell plays, I’d rather Rodwell plays in midfield than Neville to be honest. Come on You Blues!!!